Semi-milled or wholly milled rice market in Kyrgyzstan

Earlier Report Observations

The market for semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Kyrgyzstan expanded sharply in 2019, with volume rising by 29% to 35.6 thousand tons. This surge was primarily driven by a steep increase in imports, facilitated by the moratorium on business inspections that took effect in January 2019 and the Export Development Program for 2019-2022 approved in late 2018, which reduced administrative barriers for traders.

Market volume then contracted by 17% in 2020 to 29.7 thousand tons as farmers faced low prices for local rice, leading to a reduction in sown areas. A recovery to 34.3 thousand tons followed in 2021, supported by continued export promotion programs and high import dependency. However, volume dipped again in 2022 to 32.1 thousand tons due to a documented decrease in rice sown areas and the introduction of new product labeling requirements, which increased compliance costs.

In 2023, the market reached a peak of 38.3 thousand tons, a 20% increase, even as consumer prices for rice jumped by 40% due to rising production costs. Government efforts to support exports and refine the product labeling system continued during this period, with further enhancements to traceability planned through 2025.

Production semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Kyrgyzstan

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, 2018-2021

World map of production of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, 2018-2021

Kyrgyzstan's production of semi-milled or wholly milled rice has grown for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 29 357 tons, marking an 8.9% increase compared to 2020. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production rose by 19.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 6.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Kyrgyzstan in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Kyrgyzstan

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed significant volatility during these years. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with the highest level being 3.2 times greater than the lowest. In 2021, Kyrgyzstan exported 1 009 tons of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, showing a slight decline of 1.7% from 2020. The maximum volume was recorded in 2020 at 1 026 tons, while the largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2019, at 93.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Kyrgyzstan in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Russia and Iraq were the dominant partners in Kyrgyzstan's exports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice by volume, with other countries collectively accounting for the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Kyrgyzstan in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The market experienced an unstable trend throughout this period. Export values dropped to their lowest in 2018 and rose to a peak in 2020, with the peak being 1.9 times higher than the trough. In 2021, the value of semi-milled or wholly milled rice exported from Kyrgyzstan was recorded at 417 thousand US dollars, representing a decrease of 3.6% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was 432 thousand US dollars in 2020, and the largest increase occurred in 2019, at 83.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Kyrgyzstan in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018–2021, Russia and Iraq remained the primary destinations for Kyrgyzstan's exports by value, jointly accounting for 80.8% of total exports. Other partners each held significantly smaller shares.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Kyrgyzstan in value, 2018-2021

Imports semi-milled or wholly milled rice to Kyrgyzstan

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import volumes fell to their lowest point in 2018 and reached their maximum in 2019, with the peak being 3.3 times higher than the trough. In 2021, Kyrgyzstan imported approximately 5 980 tons of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, corresponding to a sharp rise of 60.6% year-over-year. The maximum volume was 11 173 tons in 2019, while the largest decline occurred in 2020, at 66.7%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 234.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Kyrgyzstan in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Russia and Kazakhstan accounted for the majority of Kyrgyzstan's imports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice by volume, with other markets playing a less significant role.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Kyrgyzstan in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import values dropped to a minimum in 2018 and climbed to their maximum in 2019, with a 2.9-fold difference between these points. In 2021, the value of imported semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Kyrgyzstan came to 4 176 thousand US dollars, up by 81.4% relative to the prior year. The maximum value was 6 339 thousand US dollars in 2019, the largest decline was 63.7% in 2020, and the largest increase was 187.3% in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Kyrgyzstan in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Over 2018–2021, Kazakhstan and Russia clearly dominated the partner structure for Kyrgyzstan's imports by value, while other countries together formed the remaining share.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Kyrgyzstan in value, 2018-2021